FREMONT - A Fremont man who allowed a Bellevue man access to raping two minor children was sentenced Tuesday to three years prison after pleaded guilty to felony tampering with evidence and child endangerment charges.

David LaValle, 41, clad in an orange jail jumpsuit and shackles, hung his head as Sandusky County Prosecutor Tim Braun detailed the incident in which LaValle and his wife, Heather LaValle, allowed Kenneth Jordan, 68, to sexually abuse the two children in exchange for Jordan paying the LaValles' household bills.

While addressing the court, LaValle said he was sorry and that he loved the children whom he allowed to be raped by Jordan.

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Fremont man sentenced by judge to three years in prison for role in child rape case
Craig Shoup/Thew News-Messenger

"I'm deeply sorry and I don't know if they can ever forgive me," LaValle said. "I ask the court to please forgive me for everything."

LaValle's attorney, Chris Fiegl of Fremont, asked Judge John Dewey of Sandusky County Common Pleas Court for compassion in sentencing LaValle, saying his client does not have a prior criminal record and is a low risk for re-offending in the future.

"He has accepted full responsibility and he is going to have to live with that," Fiegl said.

Braun said the case against Heather and David LaValle did not ascend to human or sex trafficking charges, calling the case "borderline" for those charges.

Braun said the children were sexually abused under the LaValles' watch, but said Jordan agreed to pay household bills for the LaValle's in exchange for "alone time" with the children.

Had the LaValles knowingly sent the children to Jordan for sexual favors, Braun said the case could have ascended to human sex trafficking charges.

"Mr. LaValle put children at risk knowing he was profiting from his relationship with Mr. Jordan," Braun said.

Fremont Police Detective Jason Kiddey began investigating the rape case against Jordan last September and said several key pieces of evidence seized during a December raid led to the Lavalles and a subsequent search of their Stillwell Avenue home.

Several hard drives, storage devices and cell phones were seized during the search and sent to the Perrysburg Police Department to be examined for possible child pornography.

Kiddey said three juveniles were identified as victims of Jordan, two of whom were linked to David and Heather LaValle.

An iPhone belonging to a juvenile was confiscated in January that authorities believe contains child pornography.

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David LaValle speaks to his attorney Chris Fiegl of Fremont after being sentenced to three years for his involvement in the rape of two juvenile girls.(Photo: Craig Shoup/The News-Messenger)

Victims' advocate Deb Wells said she met with both minor girls who were raped by Jordan and said the older girl, now 13, is exhibiting more problems stemming from the sexual abuse sustained. The other victim linked to the LaValles is 10 years old.

Wells told the court that the 13-year-old victim "was able to tell me some of the things and how they happened."